Crossword Genius

Mother loses youth; gets some compensation (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

damages

'some compensation' is the definition.
(damages is a kind of compensation)

'mother loses youth' is the wordplay.
'mother' becomes 'dam' (female parent of an animal).
'loses youth' becomes 'ages'.
'dam'+'ages'='DAMAGES'

'gets' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for damages that I've seen before include "weakens" , "Money awarded as compensation" , "Hurts" , "Harms" , "Money paid in compensation for loss or injury" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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